True religion is a good thing and it is a God thing. It involves two things – helping others and living a clean life.
Some people call themselves religious, but are they really? To some, being religious means that you attend church regularly. To others, it means that they are simply a follower of Jesus. And to some, it means simply that a person appears to be very spiritual. Interestingly though, the Bible gives a different definition of what pure religion really is.
James, the brother of Jesus, and the pastor of the church in Jerusalem wrote this. He said, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
I believe it is time that the church quit playing church and start getting religious, truly religious. Over the years the word religious has become a negative word, mainly because of people who say they are religious and are not. In order to walk in pure religion before God and the Father, a person must specifically do two things. Number one, they must think beyond their own needs and help those who cannot help themselves. They must reach out and actually be a physical benefit to orphans and the widows in the church.
Recently I heard about a group of Christian men who got together and purchased an automobile for a widow in their church. I know of several families who have taken orphans into their homes, fed and clothed them and treated them as their own children. According to the Bible, this is true religion and it is good. But there is more.
While helping the orphans and widows is a good thing, the second part of true religion is to keep oneself unspotted from the world. While praying, Jesus told the Father that He knew His disciples and all of those who would follow Him were in the world. Then He said something very interesting. He asked His Father to not take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil in it. (John 17:15) He went on to say that even though we may be in the world, we are not of the world. The responsibility to remain unspotted is ours. We are the ones who ultimately operate in the power of grace to keep ourselves clean and holy.
Today I want to encourage you to be truly religious. First, give your home church a call. Find out if they have a program where they help orphans and widows within your church. Give into that program with your money or time. Your obedience in helping others in need will bring blessing into your life.
Secondly, clean up your life. Get into God’s Word and discover how a Christian should live and then live that way. Actually, it’s quite simple. God has already figured it out for you.
I don’t do much counseling, but when I do, my counseling sessions are very short. Usually I look at the person and say, “Do you know what the Bible says to do?” They usually nod yes. Then I ask them, “Do you know what the Bible says not to do?” Again I usually receive an affirmative response. Then I say, “Okay. Then do what the Bible says to do and don’t do what it says not to do and all your problems are solved.”
So the conclusion is this. True religion is a good thing and it is a God thing. It involves two things – helping others and living a clean life. So today I encourage you to be truly religious.
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” (James 1:27)
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.